Newbie needing advice, loves googling symptoms :/

[LF87]

Hi.

This is a bit of an essay, but please read because I'm in need of some help/reassurance! My family & boyfriend won't indulge me in conversation about it anymore.

I've been looking at this forum over the last few weeks and found it really helpful so finally decided to join.
I've been suffering with major health anxiety for the past few months. I've had it all my life but managed to get it under control, until recently. It started with a sore feeling in my tongue. So, naturally, I had to check it out in the mirror. I noticed there were some bumps there. These are called foliate palpillae, I think. I wasn't initially panicked...until I googled. It came up with cancer straight away. So I went to the doctors in floods of tears. She said it was probably nothing, and referred me to see an ENT specialist after a week of it being there. He did a thorough exam and said it was nothing to worry about and sent me away. Brilliant! But the mouth 'C' thinking had already taken hold.
I got a bad throat soon after, was told I had strep throat, which then turned into tonsillitis (probably from poking my mouth 20 times a day). So I was on penicillin for ages. It's not really sore anymore but still a bit red and swollen. Not too bothered about that because I know what it is.

I then became fixated on this 'raw' feeling on the inside of my lips. It looked slightly red. Googled red area in mouth. Answer? Oral C. Another emergency appointment with my GP. She said it's nothing, that naughty things are really noticeable, there's nothing to worry about. She actually told me she promised there was nothing wrong, and to stop obsessing over my mouth. So that was another symptom down. I was feeling a little bit more relaxed, stopped the googling, until two days ago. I've had a really sore ulcer, which I'm not too fussed about, I've been run down and stressed. The new symptom that is bothering me now is a little white spot where the Wharton's ducts, (or whatever they are called) are. Its quite red with a little red spot (small) but doesn't hurt. And I'm contemplating the doctors again but I actually feel too embarrassed to go back after seeing her last. So in total I've seen an ENT specialist, doctors four times, and I saw the dentist too. But this ulcer looking thing has just appeared and it's really frightening me. I feel really sad because I just felt I was getting control back, and this thing has knocked me right back.

Does anyone have any help or advice? I can't talk to anyone in my family anymore, they don't get it and think I'm being totally ridiculous. Any replies hugely appreciated.

L x

[Mondie]

Unfortunately google is the biggest problem us health anxiety sufferers face...we do it to try and feel better...and do we? NO! never!

Dr Google is the worst doctor going, if he were a person he would have been struck off for malpractice years ago.

There is a good sticky thread at the top of the page called 'dr google will see you now' that might be a good place for you to start.

I can't comment on your mouth issues, but I don't think that is your problem...more the constant reassurance you are looking at from google.

One thing I do when I feel the need to google i finish my goggle search with the phrase 'no more panic' that way I get directed to posts from here about my particular concern.

Hope that helps xx

[LF87]

Thanks for replying Mondie. Yes, google is the absolute bane of my life at the moment. It's sent me into a frenzy the last few months. The sticky thread was a great read, really helpful, thank you.
It's not just google either. I'm constantly talking about it with my boyfriend, or asking him to look in my mouth, or let me look in his mouth. I realise how irrational it may be, but I can't stop myself! He literally can't bear the conversation anymore.

It's just a really awful web I've spun for myself. Totally dominating my life at the moment.

Thanks again x

[Mondie]

I have learnt that reassurance is one of the things that fuels health anxiety, reassurance either from drs, friends, family or on here. I was told once to try and limit the constant reassurance and to try and wean myself off it. I started by stopping asking my husband, then tried to stop running to the doctor. It is very hard and I still want to ask people all the time, but I do it less and less.

[LF87]

I'm going to try to stop the checking. It actually feels like an impulse, or an urge. I'm walking past mirrors thinking no, I'm not going to check, but no sooner have I had the thought I've got my fingers in my mouth prodding and poking. Same with google. I'm really thinking about making another doctor's appointment tomorrow, even though she's told me once before that I've nothing to worry about. But every new 'thing' that appears, is the one that is DEFINITELY oral C in my head. It was the bumps, then the raw feeling, now the little ulcer thing. Its driving me completely mad. I feel stupid going back again, but the only other option is panic til it hopefully goes away.
Don't know what to do!

Again, thank you for replying.

[Stormsky]

Dr Google is not your friend.....